A Night at the Opera or The Das Jati Experience or When Chaos Aligns
A letter to one of my favorite cities, from Andrew Eisenmann
Dear Bangkok,
On Monday, 29 July 2024, I had the immense pleasure of performing three small roles in my friend and Thailand National Artist, Somtow Sucharitkul’s, Scenes from Das Jati - The Ten Lives of the Buddah. It was not the Bangkok holiday that I anticipated, and again, you have greatly exceeded my expectations for which I am incredibly grateful.
After meeting Somtow in 2014 through mutual friends and having never actually made music together until I arrived at 4am on 24 July, the clock was ticking to have the beautifully complex music prepared, memorized and begin staging rehearsals, so I knew what was going on. In 2018, Somtow invited me to attend, and write about, the inception of the Siam Sinfonietta at an incredible gala held in Phuket with a star studded guest list of politicians, ambassadors, visiting celebrities and classical music supporters. I did not expect to find them now - a full symphony (larger than the standard opera orchestra). This was the first time I got to actually participate in a production - there were also two dance companies and a cast of over 80 singers, actors, dancers and combat artists from every part of the globe!
This was absolutely delicious chaos!
My arrival was overwhelming and, I must say, very interesting. I volunteered to be in a dance number, The Dance of Time, which was choreographed by Darren Royston, UNESCO dance council member and extraordinary talent. By the second rehearsal, it was decided that I would be Plato, which was a blast - I got to wear a Toga, dance through time, and feel much younger than my 59 years. I also played the God Dyaus Pita and a Villager in the final scene as part of the chorus (where I started singing in Chico, California USA in 1992).
The operatic work, Das Jati (actually a music drama), is the longest work ever written. To perform, or view, the entire work takes five nights for about two hours a night plus intermission - yes, opera lovers, it’s BIGGER than Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The ten scenes that were put together at the Thailand Cultural Center’s amazing main hall featured some extraordinary artists, both established and emerging. I was honored to be among the cast, under the competent baton of young Maestro Voraprach (Mickey) Wongsathapornpat, who is talented, friendly, warm and an exceptional communicator of this score - my gut says that he will be working with major companies within 5 years. Other cast members included local and global artists such as Jorn Yasavudhi, Mykahilo Shapkin, Potprecha Jak Cholvijarn, Alasdhair Doran, Thanaporn Promweang, Soontorn Jim Meesri, Antonia Mandry, Betsy Palmer, John Tneoh, Barbara Zion, Sassaya Chavalit, Jonathan Samson, Santdhai Hunpayon, Darren Royston, Siripong Soontronsanor, Jirut Khamlanghan, David Salsbery Fry, Stacey Tappan and yours truly - all representing multiple genres from around the globe. Global is what Opera Siam does better than anyone else on it!
It is important to mention that Somtow also does this thing that is wonderful, but he never mentions it - he places established talent right next to emerging talent and treats them exactly the same - with professionals who are put in a space that inherently mentors the young artists, and keeps them equally excited and on their toes. He has created a perfect circle where every artist is, in fact, the most important part.
From the 25th to the 28th, I was in rehearsals - my parts were small, but important, and I was the last cast member to arrive to town, as I returned from singing an opera in the USA and a wedding in Sri Lanka - for about 10 hours a day, both at the newly created Thaitow Rehearsal Hall at Artline Bangkok, and at various halls and spaces in the Thailand Cultural Center.
To say that everything moved smoothly would be a lie - there was more chaos than I could ever imagine, some cast members who couldn’t make it because of work, other shows, Bangkok traffic (yes, you know about being at the will of the traffic gods if you live here) and there was even a sprained ankle, who ended up as an exceptional Egyptian dancing in a blinged out wheelchair! It didn’t matter because we all had the same goal of bringing this work to life…Das Jati rehearsals were certainly fun for everyone.
The show itself came together brilliantly, even though we were still rehearsing three hours before the curtain time. With 87 singers/dancers/actors in full costume and makeup and a full orchestra tuning in the pit, the show was starting and the sold out audience was on the edge of their seats. There were so many amazing moments that they are impossible to completely document in this letter.
The overture is traditional and operatic, and Maestro Mickey was in his best form with the full orchestra following his every cue and nuance. This orchestra, the same one I wrote about for you in 2021, has matured beautifully and I believe that many of its young players will soon join the world’s best groups. Did I mention that Somtow’s music is simply delightful and warms my soul?
The drama starts with the Temptation Scene from The Silent Prince - If you haven’t followed the interesting career path of bass singer and voice actor David Salsbery Fry, you should. His work as DEATH in this scene was extraordinary. Singing with a gorgeously ominous and steely focused tone, he created the scene and brought the audience with him during every perfectly phrased vocal line. Mr. Fry has, of course, sung all over the world and boasts many rave reviews. His work as principal bass, playing four different and completely diverse roles was a highlight of the night for many, including myself.
When I heard American Soprano (and creator of 7 roles for Somtow and Opera Siam), Stacey Tappan in rehearsals, I knew that I was in for a backstage viewing treat. Stacey is a warm human, a generous teaching artist and a friend to every member of this huge cast. Her smile can warm up the darkest night and her work, both on and off stage, is simply spectacular. When she opened her voice to share her Das Jati evening, first as Mekhala (she played five different roles tonight), audience jaws dropped as she owned the main hall of Thai Cultural Center with her perfectly round tone, easy upper register and crystal clear English diction soaring over the orchestra! Her voice filled the main hall with such great presence and clarity that it gave this listener goose bumps. WOW! Ms. Tappan’s talent is exceptional and anyone who has the chance to hear or see her work should run, not walk, to the box office.
With ten fully staged scenes, I could write for hours and hours about the quality artistry of every singer, dancer and actor on the stage. Opera Siam has become one of my favorite companies in the world. Somtow Sucharitkul and his extraordinary team are unlike any other. They are diverse and inclusive, literally coming from everywhere, supportive to the next generation of talent, always staying true to the company philosophy of bringing new works to the world, while embracing the strictly classical culture of opera and the best of singing theater.
For me, and hopefully in the future for you, supporting and being a part of Opera Siam and team Somtow gives me the greatest of great joy. I hope that you all have the opportunity to experience some of the magic of Bangkok’s super hip classical music scene, especially when OPERA SIAM has its next production! I truly hope to be a part of the ongoing path of Somtow Sucharitkul and Opera Siam. Please support Opera Siam and encourage your friends and family to attend the future productions. The world needs great music, and Opera Siam gives it just that!
Thank you for allowing me to return to Thailand and especially for the beautiful gift of being a part of this Das Jati 2024 production.
Sincerely,
Plato, Dyaus Pita and a Villager - aka, Andy
Andrew Eisenmann is an opera singer, teacher, actor, writer, global arts advocate and founder of the forming company, La Fábrica de Ópera - Mexico City.